Approval set to boost city’s residential and office space

An application for the construction of a office and apartment building over three storeys in Karrinyup, near Balcatta, has been given the green light.

The $3.5 million development, which received approval from the Metro North-West Development Assessment panel in February, will be located directly opposite the well-established Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

In assessing the application, concern was raised by John Syme, specialist panel member, over the need to remove a “large landmark tree”.

Prudence Hancock, studio architect for MJA, said the gum tree’s removal was necessary or the entire development would have been pushed back further.

She said other trees in Francis Avenue and Smith Street, however, would be kept, and more planted.

According to Trent Will, Planning Solutions planner, the development’s plans, which included a graphic design, had been created before a tree retention policy had been introduced by the City of Stirling.

He described the application process as being “very smooth” saying:

“it followed the owner’s amendment to rezone the site from R30 to R60.”

Adding:

“Everyone knew what to expect.”

According to a city report, the application met all requirements with one exception which was a shortfall of one bay for visitor parking for which a condition was imposed.

The condition requires that a reciprocal parking arrangement be made to permit visitors to use commercial bays outside business hours.

The building is to include nine apartments on levels one and two, and commercial space on the ground floor.